WEBVTT MARIJUANA. RIGHT NOW MEDICAL CANNIBIS OR CBD OIL CAN BE BOUGHT IN IOWA ONLY TO TREAT SPECIFIC% ILLNESSE IN STATES LIKE COLORADO, ADULT -- ADULTS CAN WALK INTO A SPECIAL SHOP AND BUY THE WEED OR EDIBLES. >> DO YOU THINK MARIJUNA SHOUL BE LEGALIZED IN IOWA? >> YEAH, I DO. REPORTER: THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE I ASKED OVER THE LUNCH HOUR ARE IN FAVOR OF LEGALIZING AND TAXING THE DRUG LIKE ALCOHOL. >> OUR FARMERS CAN MAKE SO MUCH MONEY OFF A PRODUCT LIKE THAT, AS WELL AS BENEFIT FOR PEOPL THAT HAVE HORRIFIC HEALTH PROBLEMS WHETHER IT IS CANCER, DEPRESSION. REPORTER: CARL OLSEN, WITH IOWANS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA, CITES THE ECONOMIC AND HEALTH BENEFITS >> I JUST BELIEVE MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL, IT’S BETT -- IT IS CERTAINLY A BETTER OPTION THAN ANY OTHER DRUG, AS FAR AS RECREATIONAL DRUGS GO, IT IS SAFER THAN ALCOHOL. REPORTER: SENATOR JOE BOLKCOM’S BILL WOULD SET UP A SYSTEM TO GROW, MANUFACTURE AND SELL THE DRUG HERE. >> WE SHOULD CAPTURE IOWA’S SHARE OF JOBS, NEW BUSINESSE AND REVENUE BY REGULATING MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL. REPORTER: BUT OTHERS, INCLUDING MOST REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS, ARE NOT OPEN MINDED TO RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA. >> I HAVE CONCERNS BECAUSE THERE’S A POTENTIAL OF BECOMING -- OF ADDICTION TO IT AND I A CONCERNED WITH ANY DRUG OR ALCOHOL THAT CAN BE A DAY IF THAT COULD BE DESTRUCTIVE TO THE HUMAN BODY. >> YOU DON’T WANT PEOPLE DRIVING AROUND. FROM ACCIDENTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT THAT YOU MAY ENCOUNTER. IF THEY KEEP IT TO THEMSELVE

An Iowa senator announced Monday that he will introduce legislation to end marijuana prohibition in Iowa.Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, said it is time for Iowa to get in line with the 10 other states that allow the legal growth, manufacture and purchase of marijuana.Right now, medical cannabis can be bought in Iowa only for specific illnesses.Bolkcom said regulating marijuana like alcohol would create new businesses, new jobs and more economic activity in the state. “We should capture Iowa's share of jobs, new businesses and revenue by regulating marijuana like alcohol,” Bolkcom said.Bolkcom said legal marijuana is coming to the Midwest, with states like Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois considering legalization, but admitted that his proposal has zero chance of moving forward in Iowa’s Republican-controlled Legislature.KCCI chief political reporter Cynthia Fodor spoke with central Iowans about the controversial proposal.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

An Iowa senator announced Monday that he will introduce legislation to end marijuana prohibition in Iowa.

Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, said it is time for Iowa to get in line with the 10 other states that allow the legal growth, manufacture and purchase of marijuana.

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Right now, medical cannabis can be bought in Iowa only for specific illnesses.

Bolkcom said regulating marijuana like alcohol would create new businesses, new jobs and more economic activity in the state.

“We should capture Iowa's share of jobs, new businesses and revenue by regulating marijuana like alcohol,” Bolkcom said.

Bolkcom said legal marijuana is coming to the Midwest, with states like Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois considering legalization, but admitted that his proposal has zero chance of moving forward in Iowa’s Republican-controlled Legislature.